Cabbage cure for cancer claims land quack in hot water

Twelve charges of fraud, in addition to sex offences, have led to the indictment of a would-be western Swedish practitioner.

The man, who claims to be a naturopath, had been allegedly treating cancer sufferers with a variety of vegetables and herbs but has never held a Swedish medical license. The quack doctor has also been accused of sexually abusing a female patient who suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

Among more notable treatments was a concoction of cabbage, mussel and basil oil which the man, in his fifties, used to treat a terminally ill cancer patient. He is under suspicion from authorities after apparently swindling an estimated SEK 500,000 from his clients, The Local reports.

“It’s incredibly cynical to milk these people for their money,” said Daniel Edsbagge, the deputy prosecutor.

The case involving the controversial cabbage cure was brought to the attention of local authorities back in 2007; the same year the woman died, but was dropped because of lack of evidence. However, an influx of complaints arose since the incident was made public earlier this year. The man was arrested under suspicion in May but released days later after a remand hearing.

Over the summer, the investigation continued with more patients of the malpractice medic being interviewed by police, which led to his house being raided. A patient registry and accounts were discovered during the raid.

The prosecution alleged that the bogus doctor chiefly preyed upon the terminally ill. The list of unwitting victims included one sexagenarian who was told her insomnia related to problems with her vagina, for which a herbal remedy was recommended. The Parkinson’s sufferer was allegedly sexually abused numerous times during her treatment for which she paid an estimated SEK 250,000.

The suspect has denied committing any offences according to his lawyer Eva Smerling Winman.